Farmers feeling the brunt as things get ‘real’ ugly

Mandsaur: A scene after violent clashes between farmers and the police at Pipliya in Mandsaur district on Tuesday. At least five farmers were killed and four others injured in firing by police on farmers, who have been protesting for a week demanding loan waiver and fair price for their produce. PTI Photo (PTI6_6_2017_000193B)

[caption id="attachment_173717" align="alignnone" width="759"] Mandsaur: A scene after violent clashes between farmers and the police at Pipliya in Mandsaur district on Tuesday. At least five farmers were killed and four others injured in firing by police on farmers, who have been protesting for a week demanding loan waiver and fair price for their produce. PTI Photo (PTI6_6_2017_000193B)[/caption] As Maharashtra government try to calm down the farmers protest with a loan waiver, an identical protest in Madhya Pradesh got ugly when&hellip; Mandsaur: A scene after violent clashes between farmers and the police at Pipliya in Mandsaur district on Tuesday. At least five farmers were killed and four others injured in firing by police on farmers, who have been protesting for a week demanding loan waiver and fair price for their produce. PTI Photo (PTI6_6_2017_000193B)

As Maharashtra government try to calm down the farmers protest with a loan waiver, an identical protest in Madhya Pradesh got ugly when at least six farmers were killed in Mandsaur.

It is worthwhile mentioning that farmers have been seeking better prices for their produce alongside loan waiver.

According to protestors, police fired at them. Although Madhya Pradesh government denied this at first instance but later accepted that police officials may have fired in self-defence at one place. A judicial investigation has kick started and urfew imposed in Mandsaur.

On an expected note, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore and a job to the next of kin of each dead.

Labeling it “a conspiracy’’, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister accused Congress of instigating farmers. He want farmers to remain calm with government willing to interact with them.

The current crisis is getting out of hand mainly due to a price crash in most crops, partly because of bumper production and demonetisation-induced liquidity crunch in produce markets.